Dave Meltzer in the latest Wrestling Observer Newsletter clarifies the Jeff Hardy situation, writing that “according to WWE sources, Hardy was suspended for 30 days for a company policy violation.” He was removed from bookings prior to the final weekend in July, not brought to TV on July 30, and will be out until September, missing the planned Summerslam program with Umaga. This contradicts reports from Jeff’s Web site that he asked for time off after being injured in a match with Ken Kennedy.
In other news, multiple sources have told Meltzer that Bobby Lashley’s getting a lot of heat, and he is apparently being compared to Brock Lesnar towards the end of his run in WWE. One person claimed Lashley’s head was messed up by his girlfriend Kristal and he’s not the same. Meltzer also says that Ken Kennedy called him a diva and complained to Stone Cold Steve Austin about him not selling leading into the Great American Bash match with John Cena, and Lashley was supposedly complaining to the agents about the way he was booked in his program with Cena. According to these reports, Lashley felt that he should either be turned heel or kept face, but instead felt like his character was in limbo. He wanted to complain to Vince, but didn’t get time with him.
With Lashley and Hardy unavailable, Vince was indecisive and impulsive regarding the July 30 RAW, changing the script several times.
In other news, while Johnny Knoxville’s reps apparently cited the Benoit tragedy as part of the reason he was pulling out of Summerslam, there were “a number of factors” involved in the Jackass angle getting cancelled.
Also, Moolah and Mae Young have been booked for Summerslam.
Credit: Wrestling Observer Newsletter, August 6, 2007 (click here for subscription information)
